Friday Reads: A Christmas Kiss

A Christmas Kiss by Vicky Pattison

Friday Reads: One Day in December

One Day in December by Josie Silver

Friday Reads: The Twelve Dates of Christmas

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Lisa Dickenson

Friday Reads: The Little Village Christmas

The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft

Friday Reads: The Holiday Cruise

The Holiday Cruise by Victoria Cooke

Friday Reads: Last Christmas in Paris

Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Friday Reads: The First Noel at the Villa des Violettes

The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes by Patricia Sands

Friday Reads: Goodnight from London

Goodnight from London by Jennifer Robson

Friday Reads: Vienna Nocturne

Vienna Nocturne by Vivien Shotwell

Friday Reads: A Terrible Beauty

A Terrible Beauty by Tasha Alexander

Friday Reads: The Lost Vintage

The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah

Impressionist Art On the Move

London's Courtauld Gallery may be smaller than other notable art museums but its collection includes paintings by such celebrated artists as Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Vincent van Gogh. Due to a two-year closure of the gallery for a major redevelopment project, these important works of art are now on loan at other locations. 

Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Vincent van Gogh (1889)
Courtauld Gallery, London

Friday Reads: While We Were Watching Downton Abbey

While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

Europe '81: Château de Versailles

September 20, 1981

I spent the last day of my first trip to Europe at Château de Versailles, the impressive French palace located twenty kilometres outside of Paris. Versailles was a luxurious royal residence until King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, were forced out by an angry mob during the French Revolution. Today the Palace and Park of Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Château de Versailles (1981)

Friday Reads: The Imperial Wife

The Imperial Wife by Irina Reyn

Europe '81: Ile de la Cité

September 19, 1981

My last day spent exploring the city of Paris focused on Ile de la Cité, the natural island in the middle of the River Seine where the city was first settled. Like many other days during my first trip to Europe I don't remember much, but fortunately I have my trip diary and several photos to remind me of the places I'd been.

The River Seine and Ile de la Cité, Paris (2010)

Friday Reads: A Proper Family Holiday

A Proper Family Holiday by Chrissie Manby

Europe '81: Montmartre

September 18, 1981

I had such high hopes that scouring my trip diary and going through my old photographs would bring back deeply buried memories of my first trip to Europe. Unfortunately many of those days remain a blank. About the only thing I remember about my visit to Montmartre was the weather: warm and rainy.

Montmartre, Paris (2012)

Friday Reads: Italian for Beginners

Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel

Europe '81: Paris Bateaux Mouches

September 17, 1981

My second day in Paris was full. According to my trip diary I finished my day by taking a bateau mouche along the Seine and around Ile de la Cité. Bateaux Mouches is a company in Paris that offers excursions on the River Seine and but today other tour boats plying the river are often referred to by the same name.

River Seine Excursion Boat (2010)

Friday Reads: Those Summer Nights

Those Summer Nights by Mandy Baggot

Europe '81: Paris Right Bank

September 17, 1981

My second day in Paris began on the city's Right Bank with a visit to the world's largest art museum, the Musée du Louvre. The museum is housed in a former royal palace and is classified a historic monument. Here at the Louvre I came face to face with great pieces of art, in a simpler time before the extensive security measures we encounter today.

The Right Bank of Paris

Friday Reads: Midsummer Magic

Midsummer Magic by Julia Williams

Europe '81: Paris

September 16, 1981

The final stop on my first tour of Europe was Paris, the City of Light. I arrived early in the morning on the 06:44 overnight train from Munich – the Orient Express. But the train I'd taken was named for the route it travelled, not the famous luxury service of Agatha Christie's day. After all, I was travelling Europe on $20 a Day.

Eiffel Tower, Paris (1981)

Friday Reads: Escape to the Riviera

Escape to the Riviera by Jules Wake

Europe '81: Munich

September 13, 1981

I arrived in Munich on a cool rainy day on the 1:23 p.m train from Innsbruck. I was now past the midpoint of my three-week tour of Europe and about to begin a brief visit to the capital of the German state of Bavaria.

Friday Reads: The Perfume Garden

The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown

Europe '81: The Austrian Alps

Last week I shared the first half of an essay I'd written many years ago about my first trip to Europe and the day I spent in Innsbruck. The second half takes us into the Austrian Alps and the Nordkette Mountain range where I rode a funicular from the city centre to the first viewing level at Hungerburg and then ventured further up the slopes by cable car to to Seegrube.

The Austrian Alps (1981)

Friday Reads: Summer at the Cornish Cafe

Summer at the Cornish Cafe by Phillipa Ashley

Europe '81: Innsbruck

Often when you’re searching for something you won’t find it. And sometimes you come across something even better. That’s exactly what happened when I was trying to find one of the souvenirs I’d bought in Vienna. I have no idea where it’s hiding. But I did stumble across an old essay about the day I spent in Innsbruck, written at a time when the memories were much fresher.

Innsbruck, Austria (1981)

Friday Reads: The Girl in the Glass

The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner

Europe '81: Schönbrunn Palace

September 10, 1981

My third day in Vienna began at Schönbrunn Palace, summer residence of the Habsburgs. The previous day I'd toured their winter residence, the Hofburg. According to the meagre notes in my trip diary the palace was beautiful and elaborate; the grounds lovely and spacious.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna (1981)

Friday Reads: The Paris Wedding

The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash

Europe '81: Imperial Vienna

September 9, 1981

My fascination with the Habsburg dynasty began with the 1968 film Mayerling starring Omar Sharif and Catherine Deneuve. The movie is about the mysterious deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf and his mistress at the imperial hunting lodge, Mayerling, in 1889. On my second day in Vienna I paid a visit to the Hofburg, centre of the Holy Roman Empire, and residence of the Habsburgs for over 600 years.

The Imperial Apartments, the Hofburg (1981)

Friday Reads: The Greek Escape

In January I joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2018 and set a goal of 52 books. As of this week I've read 29, which represents 56% of my goal. Friday is the day that many readers share what they're currently reading on social media so I've decided to do the same in a weekly blog post.

The Greek Escape by Karen Swan

Europe '81: Vienna

September 8, 1981

I once did a school project on Austria and fell in love with this Alpine country of imperial palaces, Strauss waltzes and warm apfelstrudel. When planning my first trip to Europe I was aware that reality might not live up to my high expectations but I needn't have worried. Austria was everything I'd hoped it would be, and more.

The Rathaus, Vienna's Town Hall (1981)

Europe '81: Florence

September 7, 1981

If you only have one day to spend in Florence, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, don't go on a Monday. The city's great art museums, like the Uffizi Gallery with Botticelli's Birth of Venus and the Accademia Gallery with Michelangelo's David, will be closed. But this was the day I arrived in Firenze in September of 1981.

Michelangelo's David, Accademia Gallery

Europe '81: Rome

September 4, 1981

Day 4 of my first trip to Europe must have been one of my best and, unlike the first three days, I actually do have memories. I also have a few photos which I'd had printed from my slides. I toured some of the city's major sights, beginning with the Trevi Fountain and my travel journal states that I threw two coins and made a wish, which is said to ensure one's return to Rome. The fountain has worked its magic as I've been back to the Eternal City twice since this first visit 37 years ago.

Trevi Fountain, Rome (1981)

Europe '81: The Arrival

My first trip to Europe in 1981 was a 3-week tour through Italy, Austria, Germany and France. I still have my travel journal, although most of the entries are terribly brief. At the time I believed I'd never forget the details of such an amazing experience. Hah! Thank goodness I still have my slides and a few souvenirs. And now, using these meagre memory aids, I'll attempt to recreate my journey.

Royal Wedding in Windsor

Are you one of the billions worldwide who witnessed the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday morning? I set my alarm clock for 4:00 a.m. (EDT) and happily climbed out of bed for the royal watcher's event of the year. The weather in the charming Berkshire town of Windsor was ideal for a beautiful spring wedding.

Floral Flashback

It's now the middle of May and I'm still waiting for the leaves to appear on the trees – not to mention the sighting of a flower or two. In the meantime, I've been looking back at some of the beautiful gardens and flowers I've seen during my travels in Europe. They're a reminder of more colourful days to come. I hope you enjoy them too!

"Z" is for ZZZ's

I've never had much luck catching some ZZZ's during a trans-Atlantic flight to Europe, and a night without sleep makes the effects of jet lag feel even worse. This roomy Business Class seat aboard a Swiss flight to Zurich (enroute to Nice) converted to a flat bed, the best way to arrive refreshed at my destination.

How to Catch some ZZZ's on a Flight to Zurich

Previous A to Z Posts:
"Z" is for Zone
"Z" is for Zucchini
"Z" is for Zodiac

"Y" is for Yummy

The French have earned a reputation for fine food and examples can be seen everywhere, from posh restaurants and village markets to shop window displays. The sweet treats in this patisserie window made me stop and say "yummy"!

Yummy French Pastries

Previous A to Z Posts:
"Y" is for Ye
"Y" is for Year
"Y" is for Yacht

"X" is for eXecutive Class

While planning my latest trip to France I decided to treat myself to flights in Executive Class – what a way to travel! On my return journey, meal service on the TAP Portugal flight from Lisbon to Toronto was superb, especially the hot Cream of Sweet Potato Soup and Smoked Halibut.

Meal Service in Executive Class

Previous A to Z Posts:

"X" is for Xerophyte
"X" is for X-Bones
"X" is for Aix-en-Provence

"W" is for Waterfall

The city of Nice has a man-made waterfall in a park atop Colline du Chateau, Castle Hill. The castle no longer exists but a lookout above the waterfall offers expansive views over the city and the Baie des Anges, Bay of Angels. You can get there by taking the stairs, an elevator or the tourist train.

Waterfall on Castle Hill, Nice

Previous A to Z Posts:
"W" is for White Tower
"W" is for Wishes
"W" is for Window

"V" is for Villefranche-sur-Mer

One of my favourite Cote d'Azur towns is Villefranche-sur-Mer, located between the city of Nice and the principality of Monaco, and within walking distance of the exclusive Cap Ferrat peninsula. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a popular port of call for Mediterranean cruise ships and makes an excellent home base for exploring the Riviera coast.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Previous A to Z Posts:
"V" is for Vicars' Close
"V" is for Vivaldi
"V" is for Van Gogh

"U" is for Universal Prayer

I was immediately drawn to this large figure reaching for the skies in front of the Palais des Papes, Palace of the Popes, in the Provencal city of Avignon. The piece entitled Universal Prayer by Senegal sculptor Ndary Lo was part of a 2017 exhibition of contemporary African art.

Universal Prayer, by Ndary Lo, Avignon

Previous A to Z Posts:
"U" is for University
"U" is for Unicorn
"U" is for Umbrella

"T" is for Tourist Train

Little tourist trains can be found in cities and towns all over the south of France and they're usually white; this similar, but more photogenic, red train operates in Monaco. Though not part of France the tiny principality is surrounded on three sides by its much larger neighbour and has a well-established place on the French Riviera.

Tourist Train, Monaco

Previous A to Z Posts:
"T" is for Thatch
"T" is for Taxi
"T" is for Trompe l'Oeil

"S" is for Sunflowers

Can there be a cheerier flower than the sunflower? Every summer these simple blooms can be spotted in roadside fields and village markets across Provence. Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh painted several versions of Sunflowers for his friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, and they are among his most beloved works.

Sunflowers of Provence

Previous A to Z Posts:
"S" is for Seagull
"S" is for Souvenir
"S" is for La Serra Spa

"R" is for Roussillon

Roussillon is another of France's villages perchés, perched villages. The town invites visitors to stroll its cobbled lanes and admire colourful buildings in the sunset hues of ochre. The mairie, or town hall, is just one of many picture-perfect views to be found in the Luberon village of Roussillon.

Mairie, or Town Hall, of Roussillon

Previous A to Z Posts:
"R" is for Rolling Stones
"R" is for Red House
"R" is for Roman Ruins